Thursday, June 12, 2014

Words from Sister Elese Hauser in Illinois

"How is it possible to be so happy, and
yet so sad all at the sametime?! Can someone please explain how this is
possible! My heart isheavy this week as I write for several reasons. The
first being, ihave been set apart as a missionary of the Church of Jesus
Christ ofLatter-day Saints exactly one year as of last night. ONE
WHOLEYEAR!!!! And this Wednesday I will have been in the field exactly
ayear. Mom you asked if it went by fast for me too, yes! I would
betthat it's gone by faster for me than it has for you at home.
Garret'smission went by fast but being the missionary now, it goes
wayfaster!! It's been the best, it's been the hardest, it's been the
mostrewarding year of my life. I look at these past 6 months since I
gotto Oswego and it has flown! To think I only have a 6 month span
likethat makes me physically ill. Sisters get jipped 6 months! I'm
justpraying that this conference they come out with the announcement
thatSisters can serve for 2 years. I'd do it in a heartbeat:)Well I've
been avoiding the elephant in the room long enough. I'mgetting transferred.
I have been called by The Lord to serve in PekinIllinois. You have no idea
how much it hurts me to say that I'mleaving Oswego. I thought it was hard to
leave for college, that wasnothing compared to this! The difference is I
don't have the option tocall my Dad, sit on the stairs outside my apartment,
cry my eyes out,and tell him that life just isn't fair!!! Being the first
sisters inOswego is what makes the difference between here and Belvidere.
Whenwe got here there was nothing. I feel so blessed to have seen so
manymiracles! My heart is full to the brim with joy and gratitude for
the6 months I did get to spend here. Yesterday at church was so hard!
Themembers here hold a very special place in my heart. It was here that
Igrew the most and learned even more about the gospel. I love stayingin
an area for 6 months, but I hate it because the good bye is sohard. So Pekin
is in the middle of nowhere. Literally. It's south ofPeoria Illinois so
about 3 hours southwest of where I'm serving now.I'm excited to go back out
to the country for when the sweet corn isharvested! (I'm trying to find the
positives of this!) No, I amexcited. Once I get there life will be great.
But it doesn't help withthe fact that this week we had some crazy awesome
things happen!!!So Carol is getting baptized in 2 weeks!!!!!! This week we
visited herand were going over the baptismal interview questions. We get to
wordof wisdom and mention that we don't drink coffee. She flipped
out!!She claimed no one had ever told her that, I promise we have! She
wasso mad she walked out of our lesson and went on a little walk! We
justsat there twiddling our thumbs until she returned. We told her to
prayabout it and we'd be back. But she had come so far with smoking
andnow she was going to let one cup of coffee stand in her way!! I was
anervous wreck for a few days until we went to see her again. When
wewent by a few days later she nonchalantly told us that she
hascompletely quit smoking and drinking coffee!!! She mentioned
inpassing that she has put her baptism for June 21st.
WOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!Carol was the first person I met in Oswego. She was
completelyhopeless and down. She has completely quit smoking after doing it
for40+ years, drinking coffee, and can feel of our Saviors love for
her.One of the best moments of my life was hearing them announce
herbaptism in church yesterday! I started crying so hard! After 6
monthsCarol had done it. I had the opportunity to witness it all. Until
now.My heart breaks that I won't be here for the next few weeks to
watchher grow. Being 3 hours away I don't know if I can come back for
thebaptism. Never in my whole life have I invested so much time,
energy,sweat, blood, tears, and joy for one person. Carol is 68 years
old,and if she can do this, anyone can. I could probably count on one
handthe number of times I've cried on my mission, but bearing my
finaltestimony to Carol was one of them. I know The Lord has a plan.
Idon't understand it, and I know there's a bigger picture. But I
justwish I could be here to witness the end of this 5 year journey
tohappiness.We had a super cool thing happen this week! We were walking
home onenight and we heard someone yell "Sisters!" So we turn around and
it'sour investigator Antonio! He lives across the street from us and
we'vetaught him a few times now. He tells us he's just walking and
readingwhile he waits for his laundry to be done. We told him "You better
bereading the Book of Mormon or we're going to be disappointed." Hehangs
his head and tells us we're just going to have to bedisappointed. But as he
gets closer he says "But you'll have to savethat disappointment for another
time!!!" And he holds up his copy ofthe Book of Mormon!!!!! We were freaking
out! Since when do youaccidentally bump into your investigators and they're
actually readingthe book of Mormon! We were so pumped we had to take a
picture! That'swhat's included with this email:) and he came to church
yesterday forthe 2 time and brought his 2 kids as well! It was so
exciting!!And then my personal favorite miracles from our week. We had the
carand we pulled up to a red light. I was in the passenger seat and
Ilooked over and saw this lady driving a van and her window was
rolleddown. Immediately the spirit was telling me to give her a
Mormon.orgcard. So I mumbled something to Sister Teerlink about not
leavingwithout me as I climbed out of the car. I walked up to her window
andsaid "Hi, I had a feeling I should give you this card, it's
reallychanged my...." And then she started yelling at me! She said "I
DONTWANT YOUR DANG CARD! IT IS COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE FOR YOU
TOAPPROACH ME LIKE THIS. GET AWAY FROM ME!" I just stood there and
kindof calmly said "I just want to give you this card." And then
shepulled away and left me looking like an idiot standing in
theintersection. With my head down, I got back in the car and the
lightturned green. I could barely question why Heavenly Father wanted me
todo that when we see this car behind us, pull along side of us,
thedriver waved, and drive past. It took me a minute to register who
itwas but it was one of our former investigators who had stopped
meetingwith us last week! His name is Ward and we were so sad when he
droppedus! As he drove past we realized that he had seen the whole
encounterat the intersection! I knew that Heavenly Father had prompted me
togive a card to that lady so that this former investigator could see
usstill working. So much so that we're willing to risk our lives andlook
like idiots to share this gospel. He needed the gentle reminderthat the
gospel is still here and that this message means more to usthan anything
else. The Lord works in mysterious ways:)This week we had a mini missionary
with us for a few days. She's fromthe Rockford stake and is a senior in high
school. So she tagged alongwith us for a few days getting a real feel for
the mission life. Sothat was fun! And the sister who is replacing me in
Oswego is the samesister who replaced me in Belvidere! So she's just
following mearound. She'll probably be sick of hearing about me!Well
Pekin, here I come! Ironically enough I don't think it's too farfrom
Galesburg Illinois where Grandma was just last week! I hopethey're not in a
car share... But I will do whatever The Lord needs ofme. I told myself
before transfers that I just didn't want to betransferred to the Peoria area
in the middle if nowhere. The Lord hasa sense of humor:) I've told the whole
Oswego Ward that we'll be backnext summer to visit so now we have to because
they're all holding meto it! Well I love you all so much. With is many
changes happening Iam grateful for the things that don't change. And that's
knowing thatmy family is eternal. That no matter where I am out here, I have
allof you back at home cheering me on and supporting me. And of
course,the gospel never changes. And I am so grateful for all the
wonderfulexperiences I've had here. It's crazy to think when we first got
herewe were homeless, had no car, and lived out of our suitcases for
5weeks. I have seen 3 of the 4 seasons here. Bring on the next
6months!!!!"